Another winter had passed.
This year, Aspiration City was entirely different from before.
Especially for the citizens living near the borders of the Black Forest — in previous years, their villages were constantly harassed and destroyed by rampaging magical beasts, leaving devastation in their wake.
But this spring, to their surprise, everything within the territory remained untouched. The orchards were intact, the crops unharmed — everything was just as it should be.
This realization filled them with immense joy. Without the yearly beast attacks, their lives had become incomparably easier. With a bountiful harvest ahead, they could finally live prosperous lives — perhaps even with a surplus to spare.
"The winter has passed… and the winter beast tide truly didn't arrive this year," several lords of the territory said, their faces lit with delight.
Of course, they all knew that this wasn't mere coincidence. The establishment of the Pokémon Breeding Zones had caused those magical beasts now called Pokémon to abandon their invasions into human lands.
In particular, the creation of the breeding zones near the Ironblood Fortress had drawn in a vast number of Pokémon from the Aspiration Mountains, keeping them well within the controlled zones instead of wandering into the Black Forest.
Within these Pokémon Breeding Zones, the Pokémon could find safe habitats and plentiful food sources. Naturally, they had no reason to risk venturing into human territories anymore.
This arrangement was a win-win for both humans and Pokémon — it established a delicate balance between the two sides, forming an initial state of peaceful coexistence where neither interfered with the other.
"Lord Kilton, the food expenditure for the breeding zone has been tallied," a clerk reported while presenting a ledger.
Kilton nodded and took the ledger. "Alright, let me see."
As his eyes quickly scanned through the records, his expression froze for a moment — the numbers looked strangely familiar.
Thinking carefully, he suddenly realized what it reminded him of — the total expenses for maintaining the breeding zone this year seemed to be about the same as the losses their territory used to suffer after every winter beast tide!
He raised his gaze toward the clerk, who immediately confirmed his realization. "Yes, Lord Kilton, your observation is correct.
"In addition, while the expenses match the previous years' post-beast tide losses, this time not a single person in our territory was injured. All orchards and crops have been perfectly preserved.
"And don't forget, the Pokémon within the breeding zone themselves are a valuable form of wealth. Once we join the Pokémon League, there will be countless new industries linked to them!"
Hearing this, a broad smile appeared on Kilton's face. Even though the trade in magical beasts had completely died out, a whole new market for Pokémon-related services was opening up before him. With his town situated so close to the Pokémon Domain, his advantage was tremendous!
"Good," Kilton said after a pause. "Make preparations. Spring is here — soon, all the lords of Aspiration City will head to the Pokémon Domain to attend the Pokémon League Conference."
As he said that, he drew in a deep breath. He had already made up his mind — no matter what the future held, he would walk this path to the very end.
At the same time, other lords across various territories shared similar feelings. The winter beast tide, which had always been the greatest hidden danger for any domain bordering the Black Forest, had finally disappeared.
It was truly a historic change.
…
At Ironblood Fortress, Captain Kevin led his knights on patrol through the Pokémon Breeding Zone. They passed by areas where various Pokémon tribes lived, all of whom displayed friendliness and calm.
These Pokémon understood gratitude — after all, the humans had provided them with secure habitats and steady sources of food. In return, they helped maintain order and safety within the breeding zone.
"Winter has passed. His Highness Aven's plan has succeeded," Kevin sighed emotionally.
For the first time in countless years, Aspiration City had made it through winter without facing the threat of a beast tide, a monumental milestone for its entire domains.
"Captain Kevin, some of the Pokémon tribes in the breeding zone have started migrating away," one of the knights reported.
Indeed, many of these Pokémon tribes had come down from the Mt. Coronet or from Aspiration Mountains to escape the harsh cold of winter. Now that spring had arrived, it was time for them to return to their original habitats.
Next year, these same Pokémon would likely migrate back to the breeding zone again for the winter. Once this cycle became routine, the annual safety of the territories would be ensured.
Of course, many Pokémon tribes also chose to remain in the breeding zone permanently, beginning new lives there — these would undoubtedly become precious long-term assets for the area.
"Understood," Kevin nodded. "Make sure they have enough food for their migration. And let them know — when winter returns, the breeding zone will always welcome them back."
Upon receiving his orders, the knights quickly carried supplies toward the Pokémon habitats. They had fought side by side with these Pokémon before, and over time, had developed bonds with them.
Many knights had even followed the Pokémon Domain's example, after earning the Pokémon's trust, they successfully tamed them as partners.
Compared to buying enslaved magical beasts from merchants, capturing and bonding with Pokémon through their own effort filled these knights with a far deeper sense of achievement. Moreover, such Pokémon shared a natural connection with their trainers, with no barriers between them.
…
"GAAARR!"
"FLYYY"
At that moment, Garchomp and Flygon appeared before Kevin, leading their tribe.
Now that winter was over, they had fulfilled their promise — it was time for them to take their leave and head to the Pokémon Domain to seek out Lord Aven.
"You've both worked hard, guarding the Ironblood Fortress and the breeding zone all this time," Kevin said with gratitude. "This time, I'll travel back to the Pokémon Domain with you. I'm quite curious about the upcoming Pokémon League Conference myself."
With Ironblood Fortress's breeding zone firmly established, the winter beast tides were now effectively a thing of the past.
Moreover, as the lords of Aspiration City continued building their own breeding zones, the Black Forest was gradually being brought under human control — its dangers nearly eliminated.
From here on, the Aspiration City Knights would be stationed primarily at Ironblood Fortress, protecting the northern frontier and preventing any wild Pokémon from descending from Mt. Coronet into human lands.
Managing the fortress and maintaining the breeding zone were now of utmost importance. Though Kevin was not the lord of Ironblood Fortress, he was still determined to attend the Pokémon League Conference.
He also planned to establish a Pokémon Breeding House within the fortress — this would help his knights quickly grow stronger alongside their Pokémon partners.
"Garr"
Garchomp nodded vigorously, its eyes gleaming with anticipation.
Throughout this time, it had continued to train following Aven's methods and had grown much stronger.
Now, it couldn't wait to return to the Pokémon Domain — to once again receive Aven's guidance… and, of course, to see Kirlia as soon as possible.
(End of Chapter)
TN: Short Chapters for couple chaps, I think. Author is busy due to family medical emergency and can't focus.